Keeping Up With Technology

MATERIALS: Carbon Nanotubes Add ESD Protection

From: Plastics Technology
Issue: July 2011

WEB EXCLUSIVE: The first grades in the new Stat-Tech NT line of plastic compounds containing low levels of carbon nanotubes have been launched for electrostatic dissipation (ESD) protection of electronic devices and packaging.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: The first grades in the new Stat-Tech NT line of plastic compounds containing low levels of carbon nanotubes have been launched for electrostatic dissipation (ESD) protection of electronic devices and packaging. These grades from PolyOne Corp., Cleveland, are offered in acetal, PC, PEEK, and other thermoplastics. They are said to offer consistent ESD protection and high purity with no loss of mechanical properties, and they reportedly process as easily as the base resin. Unlike other conductive fibers, which are orders of magnitude larger, carbon nanotubes reportedly won’t scratch delicate surfaces, which can result in crashes of hard disk drives.